Christer Fuglesang

ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang during STS-128 preflight training

ESA astronaut, STS-116, STS-128First Swedish astronaut

“I was only four when Gagarin became the first human to fly in space, however, I soon learnt of his flight – an extraordinary and inspirational event. He orbited Earth in one and a half hours, news of his flight rounded the world in a day and he toured the world in the following years.

"This was one of those remarkable moments that will forever shine in the history of humankind and it has undoubtedly inspired millions, probably billions, of people during the 50 years since, and it will continue to do so.”